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Auditory distance perception in rooms

Author

Listed:
  • Adelbert W. Bronkhorst

    (TNO Human Factors Research Institute)

  • Tammo Houtgast

    (TNO Human Factors Research Institute)

Abstract

The perceived distance of a sound source in a room has been shown to depend on the ratio of the energies of direct and reflected sound1. Although this relationship was verified in later studies2,3,4, the research has never led to a quantitative model. The advent of techniques for the generation of virtual sound sources5,6 has made it possible to study distance perception using controlled, deterministic stimuli. Here we present two experiments that make use of such stimuli and we show that a simple model, based on a modified direct-to-reverberant energy ratio, can accurately predict the results and also provide an explanation for the ‘auditory horizon’ in distance perception. The modification of the ratio consists of the use of an integration time of 6 milliseconds in the calculation of the energy of the direct sound. This time constant seems to be important in spatial hearing—the precedence effect is also based on a similar integration window7.

Suggested Citation

  • Adelbert W. Bronkhorst & Tammo Houtgast, 1999. "Auditory distance perception in rooms," Nature, Nature, vol. 397(6719), pages 517-520, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:397:y:1999:i:6719:d:10.1038_17374
    DOI: 10.1038/17374
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Devos & Francesco Aletta & Pieter Thomas & Mirko Petrovic & Tara Vander Mynsbrugge & Dominique Van de Velde & Patricia De Vriendt & Dick Botteldooren, 2019. "Designing Supportive Soundscapes for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.

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